Walter Samuel to leave Argentina coaching staff after eight years with Scaloni

It has been 54 days since the 2026 World Cup final, and there is still no clarity on Lionel Scaloni's future at the helm of the Argentina national team. The only certain thing is what the coach himself has said: his contract runs through December. Beyond that, silence and rumors. And when silence stretches out this long, every day starts to feel like a month.

What does appear to be taking shape is a significant change behind the scenes. Walter Samuel will leave the coaching staff at the end of the year. After eight seasons as one of Scaloni's assistants, the former defender wants to try his hand as a head coach in Europe, the continent where he spent much of his playing career: Roma (2000-2004), Real Madrid (2004-2005), Inter Milan (2005-2014) and Basel (2014-2016). Eight years of shared work that included two Copa Americas, a Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is no small thing, which is why his departure feels like the closing of a chapter.

Sources close to the national team stress an important point: Samuel's exit has nothing to do with whatever decision Scaloni makes about his own future. There's no falling out or unfinished business between the two, despite rumors that circulated in recent days. Within the AFA, in fact, there's optimism about a contract renewal, with officials insisting everything is on track, though they admit, plainly, that they have no concrete sense of what the coach from Pujato will ultimately decide.

The mystery of the friendlies

Another mystery is fueling the uncertainty: the squad list for the first FIFA window after the World Cup still hasn't been announced. There are more than 20 days left before the first match, and Scaloni usually reveals the roster a week in advance, so in theory there's still time. But the deadline to reserve players through formal communication with clubs passed this past Sunday, and very little information has leaked out since.

Everything suggests the biggest stars won't be part of this call-up, which would open the door for new faces to gain experience ahead of the cycle that's about to begin. There will be another window in November, before the year closes out, and that could be when the tribute to Lionel Messi takes place, with more time to organize a farewell befitting what he has meant to the team.

A cycle that is already history

Whatever happens with the contract renewal, looking back at this cycle helps explain why it has earned so much affection. Everything began to change with the 2021 Copa America, played in Brazil due to the pandemic: Argentina snapped a 28-year title drought with a 1-0 win over the hosts at the Maracana, a goal from Angel Di Maria included. It was Messi's first title with the senior national team and the birth of "La Scaloneta," the squad that began winning over fans and earning the respect of rivals everywhere.

Then came the Finalissima against Italy at Wembley, settled with a resounding 3-0, followed by "La Tercera": the World Cup title in Qatar 2022, won on penalties against France in a final that will be remembered forever. The Copa America back-to-back was completed in 2024, with a win over Colombia in extra time thanks to a goal from Lautaro Martinez.

The 2026 World Cup added another intense chapter: Argentina reached the final after beating England 2-1 in a semifinal for the ages, only to fall to Spain in extra time. It wasn't the ending anyone dreamed of, but it doesn't erase anything that's been built. Asked about his immediate future, Scaloni was direct.

I'm going to fulfill my contract through December.Lionel Scaloni

With Samuel saying goodbye and Messi no longer wearing the captain's armband day to day, the new cycle, whether or not the contract gets renewed, is starting to look ahead with a foundation of success that isn't built every day.